(RALEIGH) -- April is Adolescent Immunization Awareness Month, and state health officials want everyone to be protected against disease. State Division of Public Health spokesperson Amy Caruso said vaccines are not just for infants anymore.

"I think a lot of folks are accustomed to having to take their children in to get immunizations when they're going to kindergarten but there are vaccines that adolescents need to have and adults as well and there's a requirement in North Carolina for children in sixth grade to get the T-DAP vaccine.  It's a relatively new requirement. It started in 2008," said Caruso.

During the 2010-2011 flu season, the state has recorded eight deaths from flu among school-aged children.